2021 SEASON PREDICTIONS
2021 Season Kickoff Game: Cowboys vs Bucs
The NFL Week 1 kicks off in Tampa Bay with the defending Super Bowl champs facing off against “America’s Team”. Tom Brady and the Bucs’ stout defense is pitted against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ explosive offense. Tampa Bay retained every player from their 2020 roster, while the Cowboys’ have some new faces on defense including rookie Micah Parsons and free-agent Keanu Neal. Prescott is coming off his gruesome ankle injury and is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. Dallas will put up a good fight, but there are too many questions surrounding Dak and their defense to topple the Bucs.
Bucs 28-Cowboys 17
Cardinals vs Titans
This game is a potential offensive shootout since both teams have defense issues. The Cards are all-in with Year 3 QB Murray and Head Coach Kingsbury. Arizona signed JJ Watt and AJ Green and drafted LB Zaven Collins in the first round. Meanwhile, the Titans added Julio Jones in a trade with the Falcons and selected Caleb Farley in the first round. Derrick Henry is still king and Ryan Tannehill should perform. The Cardinals will attack the Titans through the air with Murray’s new weapons, but I don’t see the Cards containing the combined efforts of AJ Brown, King Henry, Jones, and Tannehill.
Titans 35-Cards 31
Jaguars vs Texans
Every year, one NFL team looks hopeless before the season starts. This year – the Houston Texans. The Texans are dealing with legal drama with Deshaun Watson, a lack of draft picks, and a rookie NFL head coach. In two short years, Houston lost Deandre Hopkins, JJ Watt, Brad Roby, and Lamar Miller: all key pieces for a playoff run. On the other hand, Jacksonville is rebuilding with generational talent, QB Trevor Lawerence. Plus James Robinson will be seeking back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons and new acquisition Marvin Jones will contend with DJ Chark for the WR1 spot. Both teams have issues, but I believe we’ll see a Jag victory.
Jaguars 21-Texans 14
Chargers vs WFT
Watch for Justin Herbert vs Chase Young in a matchup of a high-powered offense and an elite defense. Herbert, last year’s Offensive Rookie of The Year, broke the rookie passing touchdowns record and heads one of the NFL’s best offenses with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, and Jared Cook. Los Angeles’ new Head Coach Brandon Staley hopes to turn the Bolts’ defense into a powerhouse. Meanwhile, the WFT’s defense boasts the best front four in the league (Sweat, Allen, Payne, Young) and a promising rookie LB Jamin Davis. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has good offense options: WR’s Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, TE Logan Thomas, and RB Antonio Gibson. The Bolts may have the better offense, but I got the WFT with the W.
WFT 24-LAC 17
Vikings vs Bengals
After three years, Kirk Cousins remains sub-standard. The Vikes drafted former Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond in the third round. Mond possesses several traits Kirk lacks such as massive arm strength and mobility but does not have Cousins’ high QB IQ and accuracy. Kirk needs to impress to keep his starting job because the Vikes do have offensive pieces with veterans Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen and young star Justin Jefferson. Alternately, Cincy’s 2020 season was disastrous after budding star Joe Burrow tore his ACL. His injury can be linked to lack of protection, which was not addressed in the offseason. Instead, the Bengals took Burrow’s former LSU teammate WR Jamarr Chase in the first round. In the preseason, Chase had drop issues and Cincy should pray those issues do not carry over. In short, Minnesota’s offensive and defensive firepower will prevail.
Vikings 27-Bengals 17
Jets vs Panthers
Sam Darnold faces his former team after a disappointing three years as a Jet. Darnold is a talented QB and could have a breakout year using Carolina’s weapons: Christian McCaffery, Robby Anderson, and DJ Moore. On the other side, the Jets are rebuilding with their rookie QB Zach Wilson. Wilson has great arm talent and mobility, but his accuracy is questionable. But he has weapons: rookie Elijah Moore and free-agent pickup Corey Davis. However, the Jet’s downfall will be their weak defense with the exception of star safety Marcus Maye. Carolina will exploit the NYJ’s defense.
Carolina 24-New York Jets 17
Falcons vs Eagles
Here’s the annual Week 1 edition of the Battle of the Birds! Philadephia is set with a high-octane offense, but a sub-par defense. But the Falcons are in the middle of a virtual rebuild after trading Julio Jones and Todd Gurley’s departure. However, both teams feature promising young talents: Philly’s Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith and Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley and rookie Kyle Pitts. Falcon QB Matt Ryan is still playing at an MVP level and free-agent add Mike Davis is a tank at the RB spot. But, Atlanta still has not fixed their defensive woes, and I see the Eagle offense winning in a shootout.
Eagles 28-Falcons 21
Steelers vs Bills
Last season, I would have the Steelers winning this matchup, but times have changed. Buffalo has become an NFL powerhouse with Josh Allen evolving into an MVP-caliber QB. The Steelers (11-5 in 2020), on the other hand, have lost talent in key positions: Alejandro Villanueva, Joe Haden, and Bud Dupree. Fortunately, Pittsburgh drafted promising running back Najee Harris, yet the success of the offense will depend on the play of Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben tore a ligament in his elbow in 2019 and just wasn’t the same in 2020. Perhaps, Ben will have a bounce-back year, I just don’t see it happening in Week 1.
Bills 35-Steelers 24
Seahawks vs Colts
What a shaky offseason for both of these two teams! The Seahawks dealt with Russell Wilson trade rumors for a good part of March and April. The Hawks still have dynamic duo DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and Pro Bowl-caliber RB Chris Carson. Meanwhile, the Colts traded for Carson Wentz in late February, but Wentz suffered a foot injury in camp. Wentz was slated to be out several weeks at the season start but is now on track to start Week 1. Additionally, the Colts suffered a major blow to the O-Line with All-Pro Quenten Nelson possibly out until Week 6. The Colts will have to start Jacob Eason if Wentz cannot play; Eason did have a good preseason but lacks NFL starting experience. However, if Wentz does play, the Colts should overpower the Hawks.
Colts 35-Hawks 21
49ers vs Lions
For the first time in a while, there may be some hope for the city of Detroit and its Lions. Head Coach Dan Campbell has changed the franchise’s culture for the better, but there is also a QB change in Motown. Former LA Ram QB Jared Goff replaces long-time Lion QB Matthew Stafford after an offseason trade. Goff is an experienced albeit inconsistent play-caller. Meanwhile, San Francisco has some QB questions of their own. Trey Lance, the third overall draft pick in 2021, is waiting in the wings behind veteran QB Jimmy Garopollo. Lance is a raw talent, so we may not see him for a while. However, the Niners are getting back most of the defensive pieces they missed last season due to injuries. Welcome back Nick Bosa and Dee Ford! This defense will heavily impact the trajectory of this game, and I see the Niners getting the W.
49ers 24-Lions 10
Browns vs Chiefs
This is my featured matchup of Week 1. Kansas City is coming off a crushing Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay. On the flip side, Cleveland is one of the most hyped teams entering the 2021 season. The Chiefs maintain their explosive offense while the Browns have strengthened their defense via free agency and the draft. In addition, the Browns have an elite offense with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry. Although Kansas City has not fixed their defensive woes since Super Bowl LV, a really great offense can be a great defense.
Chiefs 28-Browns 24
Broncos vs Giants
It’s a make-or-break year for Denver and New York. In 2020, the Broncs were predicted to be a breakout team but failed to make the playoffs. Likewise, the Giants and Daniel Jones were breakout hopefuls but finished 6-10. Denver may be moving past Drew Lock after naming Teddy Bridgewater the Week 1 starter. Plus, there is serious offensive firepower in Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Melvin Gordan, Noah Fant, and KJ Hamler. And don’t forget their elite defense led by Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Alexander Johnson, and rookie Pat Surtain Jr. Broncos’ defense secures a Week 1 victory.
Broncos 24-Giants 16
Packers vs Saints
The first game will be tough for the Saints’ new starting QB Jameis Winston. Green Bay reeling from a disappointing NFC Championship loss still boasts a loaded offense led by Aaron Rodgers. Meanwhile, New Orleans begins its first Drew Brees-less season in a long while. However, many standouts remain from their 2019-2020 playoff run. Alvin Kamara is still an elite player and Michael Thomas should be sound when he returns from injury. But the Packers have a stout defense including Jaire Alexander, Zadarius Smith, Preston Smith, and Adrian Amos. The Packs defense and high-powered offense should lead them over NOLA.
Packers 31- Saints 20
Dolphins vs Patriots
This is the first NFL meeting between former college teammates (Alabama) Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. And everyone is watching. Just last week, the New England Patriots named Jones their starting QB and subsequently cut veteran Cam Newton. Jones is a talented QB, but he’s still a rookie and untested NFL QB. The Patriots spent the offseason reloading on weapons, but so did Miami. The Fins signed receiver Will Fuller V and drafted explosive receiver Jaylen Waddle in the first round. Furthermore, Tagovailoa is continuing to develop and the Dolphins still have their Top-10 defense. I’ve learned not to doubt Bill Belichick over the years, but this is a different Patriots team, and certainly a different Dolphins roster.
Dolphins 21-Patriots 14
Bears vs Rams
Both the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams are expecting wins and big things from their newly acquired quarterbacks. The Rams traded their long-time QB, Jared Goff, for the Detroit Lions’ elite play-caller Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears signed Andy Dalton and also selected Justin Fields in the first round in the 2021 draft. However, Los Angeles has more depth and a better core surrounding Stafford than Chicago’s Dalton or Fields. Furthermore, the Rams’ roster includes defensive freight trains Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. In fact, there is already Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) buzz mentioning Donald and Ramsey. Perhaps the saying “Defense wins championships” is inaccurate, but a consistent and fiery defense does win against average teams with inconsistent offenses like the Chicago Bears.
Rams 24-Bears 14
Ravens vs Raiders
It’s a pivotal year for the Ravens and Jackson. Lamar was great in regular season play during 2018 and 2019 before losing soundly in the playoffs. In 2020, the Ravens won a playoff game but only made it to divisional play. The Raiders, on the other hand, missed the playoffs again in 2020. Since then Las Vegas rebuilt their entire O-line replacing center Rodney Hudson and resigning Ritchie Incognito. However, questions remain regarding Jon Gruden’s ability to coach the Raiders to the playoffs. Derek Carr is consistent but not elite. The Raiders’ below-average defense likely won’t contain Lamar.
Ravens 31-Raiders 17
